The 25 newsletters about life abroad I wish I'd had in my back pocket before moving to Barcelona
A curated list of inspiring voices who understand the pull towards life beyond familiar borders.
I’ve had the fever for life abroad since I was in my teens, an aspiring writer immersed in the plays of William Shakespeare. No surprise then that in my junior year of college as an English major I spent a semester abroad in England, visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon and road-tripping around England, Scotland and Ireland with my American housemates. Once home, I was overcome with longing to return to Europe.
Flash forward to age 29. I moved to Sweden after falling in love with a Swede, building a life and raising our daughters there for 18 years. That was followed by a family adventure in the four years we lived on the island of Malta. Now I am back to life on the Mediterranean Sea, this time in Barcelona, reunited with the now grown daughters who have made Europe their home: Barcelona for Marielle and Paris for Sara. It seems Europe was always part of my destiny.
In April, I launched the monthly series, Living your European 3D Dream, with the intention of giving guidance and inspiration to readers who might be dreaming of their own life in Europe, or curious about what’s involved in making such a move. This is the sixth and final edition of that series, a roundup of the 25 newsletters on life abroad I wish I’d had in my back pocket before moving to Barcelona. With this installment, I am retiring the series to focus on the personal essay writing that most calls to my writer’s soul and serves the essence of this space:
Living in 3D offers life lessons in embracing desire in every decade for all of us still in the process of becoming. We thrive by planting our roots in all three dimensions at once: mind, body and spirit.
One of the most exciting ways I am blossoming in this sixth decade of life is my choice to move to Barcelona in February of 2025, a permanent move. It is the perfect place for my next chapter to unfold, and Barcelona will no doubt show up as a frequent setting in the stories I share here. But with so many wonderful newsletters primarily focused on moving abroad and making a life in a foreign country, I am completing this series by gifting you this roundup. The list is not comprehensive but these are the newsletters I’ve enjoyed or am curious to explore. Do check out my previous articles in The Living Your European 3D Dream series:
A move to Europe is easier than you think
Living Your European Dream in Spain: Deep Dive Guide to Visas
Living Your European Dream, May edition: Why I'm lucky to have Spanish healthcare
A love story lured me to Barcelona. Spoiler alert: It isn't mine (yet)
Burst the language learning bubble and set yourself free
Among these 25 newsletters there should be plenty to suit your specific interests. I’ve organized them according to what might be your needs and desires. Maybe you already live abroad and are looking for community in the city or country you now call home, or within the growing Substack community of people living abroad. I’ve made several new friends via this platform, right here in Barcelona, and also in online gatherings.
Perhaps you’re considering a move abroad and need inspiration and practical tips; what to do about work, finances, healthcare, and retirement and how to get your visas and residency permits. You might be a family looking for opportunities and adventure abroad; see below for an expert guide for professional families. Or you may be among the many Americans looking to leave a country under the current political administration that no longer feels like a safe, welcoming, healthy place for you or your family. Or maybe this is a soul calling. You’re looking for stories of women who decided to move abroad solo, in their 30s, 40s, or later in life in their 50s and 60s (as I did).
Whatever you’re looking for, I hope you’ll find inspiring and encouraging voices here who understand the pull towards life beyond familiar borders.
25 Newsletters To Guide Your Life Abroad
1. The one-stop home for building a life across borders
Home Abroad by Kaila Krayewski: Location: Valencia, Spain (soon): “After nearly two decades living everywhere but ‘home,’ I’ve learned that moving abroad..is about identity. Grief. Adventure. Reinvention. Bureaucracy. Long-distance birthdays. Bad Wi-Fi. Big dreams. This is the place I built for people like us — part map, part moodboard, part group hug. Whether you’re thinking about leaving, deep in the visa maze, or trying to find your feet in a new city, there’s room for you here.”
Read “Thinking of Moving Abroad? These 28 Substack Writers Actually Live There.”
A strategic command center for legally leaving the United States and building a sovereign life abroad
Borderless Living by William A. Finnegan Location: Unknown (William uses a pseudonymn): “Borderless Living is for people who’ve stopped asking “Should I leave?” and started asking “How fast, how clean, and how permanent can I make this?” Whether you’re optimizing for safety, mobility, financial resilience, or freedom itself, this platform exists to give you the actual blueprint. No speculation. No false hope. No doom-scrolling. Just actionable intelligence.”
Professional families seeking guidance on life abroad
Your Expat Life by Sonaya Williams (Location: Qatar): “Building a location-independent life isn't just about working remotely or moving abroad. It's about reimagining what's possible for you and your family. Our mission is beautifully simple – we're here to help you transform your expertise into a passport to freedom while showing you how other families have successfully made this leap.”
Read “The Moment I Knew We Needed a Different Life”
For those emigrating to Canada and for insights on the immigrant life
The Newcomers by Dozie Anyaegbunam (Location: Canada): “A media publication where we explore what it means to be an immigrant. The whole, real, human stories behind the immigrant experience. The struggles, the frustrations, the lessons, the joys, and the bitter-sweet feeling of starting life afresh in a new country.”
Read “The Canadian 3-Month Settlement Guide For Newcomers Sans Kids.”
Seeking a lifestyle that is a rejection of hyper-capitalist ideals
While many others on this list have moved abroad as a rejection of hyper-capitalism and hyper-productivity, and the slide of the U.S. into authoritarianism under the Trump administration, I especially appreciate these two writers’ thoughtful take on this particular motivation.
Changing The Channel with Kirsten Powers (Location: Italy): “Essays and interviews [by best-selling author and former CNN senior political analyst] that challenge core ideas and beliefs many Americans and people in other hyper-capitalist countries take for granted, as well as encouragement for readers to question what seems to be true but often is not. Perhaps, for example, efficiency, productivity, non-stop work and material success are not the most important values to order a life or country around. Change is only possible once we stop accepting the premises we are taught about what makes for a good and healthy life—individually and communally—and how to create such a life.”
Read “The way we live in the United States is not normal.”
Notes from Exile by Laura Skov (Location: Stockholm, Sweden): “About life as an ex American. The democratic collapse now underway in the U.S. is creating a cascade of consequences, both at home and across the world. One of them is a mass exodus of Americans. Heartbroken, scared, pissed off and betrayed, they’re voting with their feet…Among that sea of people is me. My decision to emigrate in 2019 was painful and also urgent, because everything I thought I knew about my country was a lie. As it turned out, I was early in the determination that life in the U.S. had become unsustainable. Now, I’m far from alone and we need to talk.”
Read “The Patterns in the Noise.”
If you’re thinking of moving to Spain
Post-Nomad by Russell Max Simon (Location: Barcelona): “I’ve been location-independent for 10+ years…Here, you’ll find me talking to others about how they think about finding home and building a meaningful legacy, as well as tracking that journey for myself.”
Read “Europe could fix you, actually,” [a response to Elizabeth.Ink, see below).
The Creative Advocate by Betina Cunado (Location: Barcelona): “I am Betina Cunado, lawyer, bioethicist, literary translator, political advisor, and writer in transition. From Buenos Aires to Paris and Barcelona, from Spanish to English, from policy designer to life project designer; I draw on all my personal and professional experience to help people navigate life changes with creativity and my unique ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking. Where others see problems, I see challenges.”
Read “16 houses, 5 cities, 4 countries, and one question: where is home?”
Serendipity Lab by Brian Wiesner (Location: Barcelona): “I started Serendipity Lab as a social experiment. I’m fascinated by how a single conversation can reshape the entire trajectory of our lives. Plus, who doesn’t want more accidental joy in their life? I’m 34 years young, still figuring out how to play the game of life. [Originally from Budapest and growing up in Florida], in 2018 I quit my engineering job in the U.S. and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. It was the best decision I ever made.”
Read “Europe Will Change You.”
Americana en España by Rachel Drummond (Location: Madrid): “I'm Rachel, an American who traded Oregon rain for Spanish sunshine in 2022. Every week, I talk about what it's really like to build a life in Spain—the bureaucratic nightmares that make me question my sanity and hoard every piece of paper and the shinier moments when everything clicks and I feel like I’ve discovered heaven on Earth, sipping a beverage on a terrace with friends.”
Read “Three Years in Spain: A Love Story.”
Stories from Sevilla's Substack by Sam S (Location: Seville): “I share stories and reflections as an American who has been living in Spain for over a decade. Sevilla and its inhabitants are filled with a joie de vivre that’s contagious. I share these observations in an attempt to capture bits of what makes Andalucía so special.”
Read “How Learning a Second Language Made Me More Creative”
For more newsletters from Substack writers living in Spain, check out Kaila Krayewski’s fun roundup: “Thinking of Moving to Spain? These 23 Substack Writers Already Did.”
If you’re thinking of moving to Portugal
Living Elsewhere by Gregory Garretson (Location: Lisbon): “I write weekly essays about topics related to living abroad, culture shock, life abroad, and cross-cultural communication. I focus especially on Europe, where I have lived for decades, and how life here contrasts with life in my country of origin, the United States. There is also a focus on communication and languages, since that is my background as a linguist.” Gregory also offers the Living Room for paid subscribers, a lively and fun online gathering.
Expat on a Budget by Kimberly Anne (Location: Porto, Portugal): “Learn how to move abroad on a budget!! If you're strapped for cash, but dream of moving abroad, Kimberly is here to guide you! Check out all the free resources she offers on Substack or hire her for an affordable price to answer all your questions and help you move forward.”
Read “4 Excuses Keeping You in the U.S. (And How to Crush Them).”
My Portuguese Neighbors by Kristin Fellows (Location: Central Portugal): “A collection of humorous & heartfelt short stories, hand illustrated by me [award-winning adventure travel writer. Freelance writer & documentary film consultant], about what it's like to live in a small Portuguese village.”
Read “The Land Where Everything Happens & Nothing Happens”
Scattered Crumbs and Tangled Tales by Liza Debevec (Location: Lisbon): “I share real-life encounters—sometimes profound, sometimes perplexing—that have influenced my perspective while living and working across Europe and Africa. Expect reflections on the meaning behind meals, the complexities of cultural identity, and unexpected adventures.”
Read “Edible Baggage.”
If you’re thinking of moving to Italy….
All Things Italy . . . and a little bit more by Etta Madden: “An Italophile and a lover of travel and history writing about people & places, past & present—literature, history, and culture. We divide our time between the Missouri Ozarks and Italy. I share from my experiences abroad as a Fulbright professor, a student, and author of numerous books and articles.”
Read: “Our Place Abroad: Downs and Ups of Dreams Actualized.”
Baur Studio by Diana Strinati Baur (Location: northern Italy): “I’m Diana, a potter, writer, artist, and designer. This is a newsletter about European life and style - art, ceramics, design, food, wine and gardening and stories - from the Black Forest of southern Germany and the northern Italian wine hills of Piemonte.”
Read expating is hard
A Renaissance Life by Alecia Stevens (Location: Tuscany, just north of Florence): “The courage to begin again. At any age. I know what it means to take a leap and walk away from everything that seems safe. I know many of you are doing this at 40, at 50, at 60 and beyond. Just this year, 2025, we moved full time to Italy and we are starting anew- again.”
If you’re thinking of moving to France
Elizabeth.Ink by Elizabeth (Location: Paris and Switzerland): “I share my frank thoughts and complicated feelings about what it feels like to pull up stakes and move overseas. For all the Eat, Pray lovers out there, I give you fair warning: you might not like it.Through personal stories, articles, and podcasts, I share the highs and lows of adjusting to a new culture; the personal growth (ouch!) that comes with it. I also dig into the emotional rollercoaster of returning home after years away; how it can feel familiar yet foreign all at once.”
Read “Europe Won’t Fix You” and “Is Paris the Right Move for You?”
If you’re thinking of moving to Mexico
The Conscientious Emigrant by Conscientious Emigration™ by Elizabeth Silleck La Rue, Esq. (Location: Mexico): “We offer support services for people who want to leave the US - primarily due to feeling targeted due to their identities - emigrate from the country with a conscientious approach to their impacts on their new homes. Borne of our personal ethics around equity and environmental conservation and rooted in the experience of emigrating from the US to Mexico in 2022, Conscientious Emigration seeks to avoid the colonial approaches that often characterize “expat” services and to balance impact with contribution. I also bring my skills as a lawyer, a policy analyst, and a storyteller to produce content about emigration that is pragmatic, accurate, honest, and hopefully, funny.”
Read “Why I Reject the Word Ex-pat.”
Women on the move and solo pioneers
Audacious Women, Creative Lives by Anne Boyd (Location: Sussex, England): “I left academia and life as an empty-nester to pursue my dream of travel and being an actual, real, full-time writer and writing coach—finally, at the age of 52! I offer support and guidance to those who want to make a leap, of any distance, into a bolder, more creative life.”
Read: “Two Years Ago I Quit My Life.”
The Camino Calls by Rebecca Weston (Location: Villaviciosa, Spain): “I share real stories from my Camino de Santiago adventures and my life as an expat in Spain, offering insights and experiences to help others better plan their own journey on the Camino de Santiago.”
Read “Camino Walk With Rebecca: A Camino Journey Designed for 45+ Travelers”
Read the series my daughter and I wrote about walking the Portugese Camino in September 2024: Walking myself home on the Camino de Santiago: Part 1 of 6
Reading in Unusual Places by Rebecca K (Location: Albania): “Ohio-born millennial, former teacher, and digital nomad, I moved to Indonesia 3 months after graduation. I’ve lived in Indonesia, China, Thailand, a brief stint in the Czech Republic, and now I’ve been in Albania for a few years. Long-term expat nerd, writing about all the places I’ve lived and visited (which means all the places I’ve read in, see: nerd).”
Read: “Should You Move to Albania?” [an interview with Rebecca] and “Reading "Breath" by James Nestor and "The Body Keeps the Score"
Expat in Portugal by Nancy Whiteman (Location: Portugal): “Two old white women escape the US and move to Portugal. I will do my best to provide you with factual information on the process we went through and on the changes to the process over time. I also write about buying, renting, and renovating properties in Portugal.”
Expat Golden Girl Life by Barbara Grassey (Location: Portugal): "In 2020, I was ready to spin the wheel. I was almost 63 years old when I moved to Portugal. I had dreamed of living in Europe ever since [I was a child]. I researched what I needed to gain a residency visa for Portugal, sold and donated possessions, packed too much stuff into storage and made the jump to a new country and a new life. No matter how old you are, if you’ve been thinking about living abroad, I’m going to encourage you to take yourself and your dream seriously. I’ll show you how to make a plan, work that plan step by step and find yourself on the other side of the world, wondering how you go to be so lucky.”
Friends, if you’ve made it this far, I hope you found plenty of adventurers here to whet your palate to go and visit their publications and find out more about how they made their dream of life abroad come true. In the comments, let me know if I missed any newsletters you follow with a focus on life abroad.
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Thank you for including me, Amy. My first time to make a Substack list :-)
Love this list! And the joyful photo of you with your daughters!
I’ve been following many of these writers as I’ve prepared for and executed my move to Canada. It’s really helpful to draw strength from others who are walking the immigration pathway. Curating my algorithm with these beautiful minds has the pleasant side effect of drowning out the drone of US political news.